December 2018
Dear Auburn Family,
Nearly 12 months ago, I was blessed to be named the 15th Director of Athletics at Auburn University. I can tell you that leading an athletic department such as Auburn’s is extraordinarily rewarding yet demanding.
I have embraced the privilege of making decisions that will better position our athletic department ranging from facility planning to negotiating football schedules. I’ve also had opportunities to spend time with members of the Auburn family while traveling from Huntsville to the coast and everywhere in between.
Admittedly, a few freshman mistakes have been made, like getting lost on campus while trying to visit with deans of every college and scheduling lunch downtown on a football Friday without factoring in adequate time to secure a parking space.
Thankfully, I’ve also experienced Auburn competing at high levels. I was in Waco, Texas, when the equestrian team won its fifth national championship, in Gainesville, Florida, for baseball’s Super Regional appearance, and on our home court to celebrate the recent SEC championship in men’s basketball.
The duty to lead a large and complex organization with integrity that simultaneously operates as a business and an enterprise is an awesome undertaking. My charge is to enhance the experience of 550 student-athletes, maintain a balanced budget, create a vibrant departmental culture, communicate effectively to all constituents and provide fan experiences of a lifetime.
That said, this overarching responsibility is not without its challenges. To use a baseball analogy, we do not hit a home run every at-bat.
A very real example of this is the most recent football season. Simply put, it did not go as planned. Having attended many practices, team and position meetings, I continue to be amazed at the effort our student-athletes and coaches pour into our storied program. After each win, I stand in the locker room and smile as the young men celebrate victory. Conversely, my heart breaks to see those same young men sit in disbelief after defeat.
Unfortunately, maximum effort does not always equal maximum results. Still, outcomes matter and at Auburn, we expect to deliver.
Since the conclusion of the regular season, there has been speculation about the future of Auburn Football despite my previous public comments as well as statements from President Leath. Unfortunately, those rumors and speculation have not served the Auburn Family well.
Throughout the season, Coach Malzahn and I had discussions focused on placing our student-athletes in the best competitive position for the future. To confirm, Coach Malzahn is dedicated to this program and he has my support as we work together to move forward. Our discussions are ongoing, and we will focus on evolving in all facets of the program to achieve better and more consistent results. Rest assured, my commitment to overseeing and managing the effort to put Auburn football back at the level we expect and you deserve will be unrelenting.
We have the most passionate fan base in the country, who love Auburn and all it represents. You, the fans, are the driving force in our effort to make you proud. Of course, it stings when we fall short of our lofty expectations, but in true Auburn fashion, we will dust ourselves off and recommit to our goals.
To reiterate, my responsibility is to serve Auburn, and more specifically, our coaches, staff and student-athletes. Among other things, successfully navigating this endeavor requires collaboration, trust, passion and resilience – qualities our young men and women learn every day as student-athletes.
As the end of football season draws near, I look forward to the upcoming bowl game and enjoying the winter sports season, which includes men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics and swimming & diving.
One of the many reasons I’m happy to call Auburn home is because of your fierce loyalty to the orange and blue. Thank you for your passion, and thank you for welcoming my family with open arms. Continue to believe in Auburn and love it.
War Eagle and Happy Holidays!
C. Allen Greene
Director of Athletics
Auburn Athletics Department |
AuburnTigers.com
athletic_director@auburn.edu
@AGreeneIV